How to Apply

Do you want to start your university education at AUBG? To evaluate your talent and academic potential, we carefully consider all of the documents below, paying special attention to your TOEFL scores, school grades and the interview.

Application Form

Start by submitting your online application form.

You may also use  CommonApp. Please do not submit more than one application.

Essay

Write an essay, which will help the AUBG Admissions Committee become acquainted with you, understand your motivation for attending AUBG and determine how well you can express yourself. The essay should be on one of the following topics:

• Describe how an intellectual or creative experience (for example community involvement, a summer program, a unique project, travel abroad, etc.) from your high school years has helped you grow personally because of the knowledge you gained from this experience.
• Provide examples of how democratic and ethical leadership can serve the needs of your country and the world. How is academic excellence, diversity and respect important for developing such leadership?

Your essay should be no more than 650 words. It will be evaluated for its clarity, creativity, completeness of response, sentence structure, paragraphing, spelling, grammar, and style. You can use this essay template.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, guidance counselors and/or academic advisers familiar with your academic performance and your potential for leadership. The letters may be written in English, Bulgarian or Russian.

You can print a template for your letters of recommendation.

Transcript

If you are applying in your last year of high school (i.e., before having earned your diploma), you must submit an official transcript for the last three years of school that lists subjects taken, grades earned, and a calculated annual grade point average (GPA). The recommended minimum GPA is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All transcripts must include the applicant's name, the contact information of the school issuing the transcripts, and the seal and signature of a school official. Transcripts may be submitted in English, Bulgarian, or Russian.

If you have already completed  high school, please submit a  copy of your high school diploma with the final grades. Copies must be  verified by a notary and translated into English by a certified  translator.

English Proficiency 

Arrange to have your official TOEFL score sent by ETS to the AUBG Admissions Office. The AUBG institutional code is 2451. Please note that AUBG does not accept personal score reports or photocopies. Your TOEFL score must be less than two years old.

To register for TOEFL please visit www.toefl.org or take advantage of the Free TOEFL.

Test preparation is available from our partner English language centers.

TOEFL may be waived for residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada or in the following cases:

• International Baccalaureate (IB): English B, English A,  English A: Literature, English A: Language and Literature, with a minimum grade of 5 (either Higher-level (HL) or standard-level (SL)).
• High School in English: Four or more consecutive years of full-time education in an accredited high school based in an English-speaking country or at an international (CIS-accredited, US- accredited, IB or other internationally accredited) high school that uses English as the language of instruction, but operates in a country where the primary language is not English. These four years must be immediately prior to attending AUBG. The applicant’s high school transcripts must attest to their education in English. Additional interview will be conducted to verify English proficiency. 
• Advanced Placement: AP English Language & Composition or AP Literature & Composition: a minimum final grade of 4 or higher.

Portfolio

Your achievements and awards help us get a better picture of your skills, interests and strengths. Submit copies of the awards you are most proud of, show us your most impressive work, or send a CV that summarizes your story. Please use this CV template. 

Interview

We would like to know you better. The interview is your chance to show your motivation, showcase your achievements, and ask a question to a representative of AUBG. The interview may be in person, by phone, or by Skype and will be scheduled after we receive your TOEFL scores.

SAT / ACT Result (Optional)

AUBG does not require SAT or ACT for admission or financial assistance; however, the scores may be helpful in determining financial aid or to waive introductory math courses. Contact Collegeboard or ACT if you wish to submit your existing scores - AUBG institutional code in Collegeboard is 2451 and 5465 with ACT.

Financial Assistance Application (Optional)

In order to be considered for need-based financial aid and need-based scholarships you must submit an application for financial assistance along with the necessary supporting documents. You and your parents should read all instructions carefully and be as thorough as possible. Detailed instructions are available in English, Bulgarian, Albanian, Georgian, Mongolian, Romanian, and Russian.

Supporting documents must be signed, sealed, translated by a sworn translator and mailed to our postal address below. Copies must also be notary verified.

Supporting documents must be signed, sealed, translated by a sworn translator and mailed to our postal address below. Copies must also be notary verified.

Recommended Deadlines

Completed applications should be received by the AUBG Admissions Office:

Fall Semester

March 1 - For early admission, better scholarships and financial aid
June 1 - For regular admission and financial aid

Spring Semester

October 1 - for non-EU citizens
November 1 - for EU citizens

Mailing Address

If not notified otherwise, send your paper application documents to our mailing address:

Admissions Office
ABF Student Center
American University in Bulgaria
12 Svoboda Bachvarova St.
Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria

Contact us, if you have any questions concerning your application.

Admission Decision

The American University in Bulgaria continually strives to notify prospective students of admissions decisions. Once the Admissions Office has received all required documents, the Admissions Committee will consider the student's application. The student will be officially notified of the Committee's decision in a confidential letter sent to the mailing address provided in the application form. Official notice is usually sent within four weeks of the Admissions office receiving all application documents. Some delay may be expected around the early admission period.